Iaphet Elli 
• Tickets for all 48 matches will go on general sale September 12 – September 29 2014
• 500,000 tickets go on sale to rugby fans this month through the Rugby Community Ticket programme
• England Rugby 2015 launch the International Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour with Land Rover and DHL
• 20,000 applications received to join The Pack; the volunteer programme for RWC 2015
• Tournament plans are in great shape and on track with 500 Days to Go
England
Rugby 2015, the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015, has
today announced the dates of the general ticket sales window. Tickets
for all 48 games will go on sale via an application window which opens
on September 12 and closes on September 29, 2014, a year in advance of
the Tournament. From September 12, members of the public will be able
to select the matches they want to attend across the country and in
Cardiff, with any oversubscribed matches balloted.
In advance of the general sale, 500,000 tickets will go on sale to
rugby fans this month through the Rugby Community Ticket Programme
launched earlier this year. All clubs and RFU affiliated organisations
in England will, from today, be able to register their nominated members
to purchase tickets from May 16, 2014. The programme gives clubs the
opportunity to recognise and reward loyal fans who support the game week
in week out in the host country for Rugby World Cup 2015. A similar
programme has also launched today in Wales giving Welsh rugby club
members the chance to purchase tickets for the eight matches at the
Millennium Stadium, given the important role the stadium will play at
RWC 2015.
England Rugby 2015 today also announced details for the international
Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, celebrating rugby and taking the Webb
Ellis Cup to 15 countries in the build-up to the Tournament. The tour
will be delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL and will depart
for Japan on May 20, 2014 for the first leg of the tour. In addition to
Japan, the route will include visits to Australia, Fiji, Madagascar,
Kenya, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, China, USA, UAE, Italy,
Germany, Romania, France before returning to England on 100 days to go
(June 10, 2015) for a tour of the UK and Ireland.
As Tournament planning progresses at pace, the search to find the
6,000 volunteers to welcome the world to England and to rugby in 2015 is
well underway with over 20,000 applications received to join ‘The
Pack’. Try-Outs (selection events) will be held between June and
December 2014 in every RWC 2015 Host City with members of the ‘The Pack’
confirmed in January 2015.
Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, said: “Our plans are right on
track with 500 days to go. We are pleased to announce the dates of the
general sale today, allowing fans to save the date and plan.
“We have seen a very strong response to the Rugby Community Ticket
Programme and we are pleased we have enabled clubs to recognise their
loyal fans with access to tickets for Rugby World Cup 2015 on home turf.
From today, members are being registered and 500,000 tickets will go
on sale from May 16 – June 30.
“We are very excited to announce the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour
plans. This gives us a unique opportunity to celebrate rugby around the
world in the lead up to 2015, engaging and exciting rugby fans and
potential new audiences ahead of the Tournament. Visiting 15 countries,
including nations qualified for RWC 2015 and emerging rugby markets,
gives us an opportunity to showcase the global game and its shared
values. In Land Rover and
DHL, we have two brilliant partners who are longstanding supporters
of rugby, and we look forward to the start of the tour in Japan later
this month.
“Everything is in place now for a great Tournament as we move into
the delivery phase of our major campaigns. We can already see the great
enthusiasm for RWC 2015 500 days out, with over 20,000 applications to
join The Pack and the positive response to the Rugby Community Ticket
programme.”
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “With 500 days to go, everything
is in place to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2015 is an unforgettable
experience for players and fans, delivering a record-breaking platform
for the promotion and growth of rugby worldwide. The vision and
dedication of the event organisers has driven great excitement and
enthusiasm across the 13 venues and 11 host cities and this is being
reflected across the global rugby community as we count down to what I
am confident will be the biggest and best Rugby World Cup yet,
furthering the profile and growth of rugby in the host nation and
worldwide.”
Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive said: “When we launched our legacy
vision with 3 years to go, we talked about inspiring people and bringing
rugby to more people across the country. The countdown today marks
another important milestone on that journey and there is a real sense of
excitement as the Tournament gets closer. We are investing in people
and facilities to make sure that the legacy from hosting the tournament
is real and lasting – we want more people playing, coaching, refereeing
and volunteering, watching and talking about rugby – and we are on our
way to delivering that vision.”
Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism, added: “Rugby World
Cup 2015 is another massive sporting event being hosted in the UK and
will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best the country
has to offer to an international audience and inspire greater sports
participation. As we mark 500 days until the start of the Tournament I’m
in no doubt that England Rugby 2015 will continue to do a tremendous
job in making sure it is an outstanding event with thrilling rugby and
fantastic atmospheres in the stadiums generated by passionate fans.”
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